"No way," was the statement from Ford design chief J Mays when asked whether the redesigned 2014 Ford Mustang will be another retro job. He says the next iteration of the pony car will follow a different road.

The design for the next Ford Mustang is currently being "locked down," according to Mays. It's a big milestone for the company, marking 50 years of the Mustang and the sixth major redesign.

"The challenge or the opportunity for 2014 with a 50th-anniversary car is to not just look back over your shoulder, but to try to win all of the Mustang faithful yet bring the brand forward as well," Mays told Automotive News.

"It has to look like a Mustang," Mays said. "But you go down a list of things that might or might not be necessary to make the car look like a Mustang."

So what should we expect on the next interpretation of the Mustang besides pony badges, American flags and five-spoke wheels? Independent rear suspension would be a start. Maybe a tad bit less weight, or direct injection for a few more horses. Could we see paddle shifters or a twin-clutch setup similar to that on Ford's smaller entries? Let us know what you would put in the new pony car in the Comments section below.